Ellis practices for first time with Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP)

Signed by the Patriots to a one-year deal earlier this month
after 11 seasons with the New York Jets, Ellis participated in
practice for the first time this preseason Saturday, a significant
sign for a defensive line that has already appeared impressive.

By donning a helmet and joining his new teammates for sprints
and stretches at the conclusion of the light workout that lasted
just more than an hour, Ellis was officially removed from the
preseason physically unable to perform list, meaning he cannot be
placed on the list when the regular season begins.

Ellis wouldn't delve into the specifics of his absence, only
saying he needed to get into shape.

''I'm lifting weights, just running, extra conditioning, just
trying to get caught up to speed with these guys,'' he said.
''They've been running a lot, so I'm just trying to get caught up
with them and get ready for the season.''

Whether he plays in the Patriots' third preseason game at
Detroit is still to be determined. New England coach Bill Belichick
said that decision has yet to be made.

Belichick was partially responsible for Ellis landing with the
Jets in the first place. New York drafted the 6-foot-5, 295-pounder
with the 12th overall selection of the 2000 draft, a pick the Jets
received from the Patriots as compensation for plucking Belichick
from New York.

Playing in all but six regular-season games throughout his
career in New York, Ellis totaled 72 1/2 sacks, his best season
coming in 2003 when he had 12 1/2 sacks with 69 tackles, 47 of them
solo.

Despite recording just 4 1/2 sacks and 36 tackles in 15 games
last season, Ellis was still instrumental in the Jets' stunning
28-21 win over the Patriots in the AFC divisional playoffs, sacking
quarterback Tom Brady twice in helping lead New York to its second
straight AFC championship game.

Now on the other end of this fierce rivalry, Ellis isn't
surprised by what he sees so far. After all, he was drafted by
former Patriots coach Bill Parcells and played three seasons under
former New England defensive coordinator Eric Mangini, also a
former disciple of Belichick.

''I was born into this family with Parcells, being drafted by
him and going through that period my rookie year, and going through
it with Mangini, you had to get back into the swing of things,''
Ellis explained. ''It's a lot different, definitely a lot
different, but it's a good thing.''

It didn't take too much convincing for the Patriots to land him,
either.

''Just their winning attitude and how they go about things,'' he
said of why he chose New England. ''I've been on the other side for
so long, you kind of respect what they do. I respect the New
England Patriots. I did respect them. Once (Belichick) told me he
wanted me here, I was like, `Yeah, I'll come.' ''

The Patriots, though, haven't appeared to miss Ellis too much in
their first two preseason games. New England limited Jacksonville
to 193 yards of total offense in a 47-12 rout in the opener and
delivered an even more impressive encore Thursdaynight against
Tampa Bay. Wreaking havoc all night, the Patriots held the
Buccaneers to just 64 yards rushing and sacked Josh Freeman twice
in the first quarter in a 31-14 win.

And to think, it all occurred without Ellis, in addition to
mercurial defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, an offseason
acquisition from the Washington Redskins who returned to the
practice field Saturday to watch his teammates after being absent
for most of training camp.

Belichick said Haynesworth is still day-to-day.

Andre Carter, another veteran defensive end in his first season
with the Patriots who made an impact in Thursday's victory, also
sees the early makings of a feared unit in Ellis, Haynesworth and
three-time Pro Bowl player Vince Wilfork.

''I think the one thing that we have is a high level of
character, just as far as on and off the field,'' Carter said. ''I
think when you have a great number of guys, it's not about ego, but
it's guys coming together and willing to work and have a big sense
of camaraderie. You can definitely go a long way . but like I told
you, you got to earn it every play and every game.''

Watching his teammates succeed, Ellis said, has only furthered
his drive to become a part of it.

''Everybody knows when you start a defense, it starts up front.
It's where it starts at. Then you go up to the linebackers,
secondary,'' he said. ''I think we got the potential to do great
things with this defense.''

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